The Sun. — London, England, 1864-12-15 00:00:00

ITON. I IY AND `Vlrt rd.SRCIAL INTELLIGENCE, CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. EDUCTION IN THE RATE OF DISCOUNT. The directors of the Bank of England have just r educed their rate of discount from 7 to 6 per cent. The announeement of this alter-41mi took a large number of the commercial public by surprise, be. Nine there is a well-tonne,ed belief that in the course of a week or two ' A revival of speculation Thly be expected, and - .money will shortly be re quired, in large amour's, to transmit to the East for Pasment of cotton. The prospect, therefore, of an u nfavourable s'pecie movement, arising at lac' distant de,te, only induced few persons to a nticipto a reduction in the official minimum this week. It had been known for some time that although. there has been an active inquiry for dis e,unt accommodation, the national establishment b as not transacted the large business usual at this Period, and in order fully to partake of the bills brought into circulation, the directors of the Bank O'Eugland have lowered their rate to a point that IN! for the moment admit of little successful com- Petition out of doors. Since the notific a ti on o f th e c h ange th ere h as b een a good inquiry for money and the rates in the °Pen market have ranged from 51 and 6 per cent. he National Discount Company, Messrs Overend,, G urney and. Co., and Messrs Alexander, Cun tad Co., have reduced their allowance of interest on (4 1 3 084, accounts from 5 to 51 per cent. for money at call from 51 to 5 per cent. for 7 days' notice, and f rorn 6 to 51 per cent. for 14 days' notice of with drawal. The directors of the Chartered Mercantile Bank Of India, London, and China have announced a 'dividend of 10 per cent., free of income tax, for the halt-year ending the 31st inst., to be paid on and after the 23 of January next. This amount, to gether with the payment made on the Ist of July 166 t: will constitute a distribution of profits at the rate of 20 per cent. per annum on the paid up e 'Pited. of the bank. Two O'CLOCK. ~, At Paris, this d a y, accor ding to M r . R en t er ' s . 481 egram, th e 3 p er cen t. French Relates were qf. 20c. Heavy. The English Stock Market has not been info. keed very much by the alteration in the rate of illB count. Had the event happe ne d a t any ot h er t I tte when business was not, as now, being curtailed, 4 zubstantial improvement might have been ex. Ileeted. The Funds rallied a little for a while, but l timately returned.to the prices current last even -1138, and Consols for money are 891 and for the It eenunt 891 I. The New Threes and Reduced An. b uitie s are 881 S ; March Exchequer Bills, 5.3. to Is. 143 . ; India 5 per Cents., 1021 193; and Deben 'tire; 9% , In the Foreign Market there has been rather more , Il ainess, but prices have not varied materially. T urkish 6 per Cents., 1862, are 711 72 ; do. Conso. 471 47k; Mexican, 291 d ; do. New, 278 1; G reek, 221 231 ; Spanish Passive, 318 I; do. ()el.. , ti6 cites, 131 144 ; the Confederate Loan, 61 63 ; th e Dan u bi an , die. to par.; and the E g ypti an , prem. t -Business in the Railway Shar e M ar k e t h as b een 4 ther i nac ti ve , a lth oug h i n some i nstances pr i ces S t e a shade firmer. South Eastern have improved 3 .1 and M etropo lit an , N ort h W estern, an d Brigh t°ll) each 10s. :rhe Foreign and Colonial lines remai n w i t hout t uange of importance. o ,Lank and Miscellaneous Shares are dull. Union ' London, however, have improved to 56 57; A e rial Bank to 3111. Alliance have declined to 1 7i; General Credit and Financial realise 61 7 ; I tidson B a y_C o mpany, 16i; and Crystal Palace k alace 32i. LOO 4 teck stook stook 10 o took stock stock to 20i 100 iOO stock stock @took stock 4tock et ock Stook ihar. BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. ; G OVERNMENT FUNDS. kr Ce n t . . b nt. Consols 4 ., o Account, Jan. 10 t i P , er Cent. Reduced B'j i N Q 3 per Cent ti' 24 per Cent. Jan. 1894 4 o :' 5 per Cent., Jan. 1873 — lnities, 30 yrs, expire Toth Jan. ' 1880 — ° for 30 yr s , e xpire sth April, 1885 — C . '? Cited Sea Telegraph), Aug. 1908 — ' ll equer Bills, £l,OOO, 4 per Cent. 5 1 dis bo £5OO tBo £lOO and £2OO Do England Stk, 51 per Ct. i I , Account — 441 )14..1 a IN DIAN , G OVERNMENT SECURITIES. b_Stock, 101 per Cent., April 1874 ehut t o , Account --- j i `' per Cent. July, 1870 .... v.' Account — ° 4 per Cent., Oct. 1888 — zi„ I bo Certificates bv c , per Cent. (Deferred 3 per Cent.) — Dl . ) 4 / pet Cent. — ° Enfac e d Paper, 4 per Cent .. -- b u o 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 I), 6 4 per Cent.,1879 — b`,' Iper Cent., Aug. 1866 D,' Jude £I,OOU " 1 1nder £l,OOO '4 --- ttt -4 , FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. '"*---.- ~,..... tr, w 4 ,i , an Bonds, 5 per Cent e"ian 5 per Cent ° 4 per Cent., 1852-58-60 --. ht, Lo 1863 — b p, 'Oa Ayres 6 per Cent — tlli ° Account.... li n unt.... b a u 6 per Cent. ()1 ° 4 4 per Cent V a Thian 6 per Cent — 1)1)0' 3 66per Per Ce nt Cent. 1864 , - '"°,.b,_ 3 per Cent., 1825 . ik o ) 6 per Cent, 1864 E per C t 1773 77, A 25 paid lpm h t der New," - Lonsofidated, 1 per Cent co,,_provisonal Land Warrant.. — A rlan 7 per Cent 94/ e' £lob Bonds °' second Issue 1) Do 1864 .. 94 1 q e , 4 ° Ser p, £l5 paid a 1} pm L° j) `o° Acciper tent., Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coupons — ou 8 1 0 '- A °llpous — ecount Ibcellinala 5 per Cent. i!ttl39 and 1859 7 e x 4.r " 0 per Cent.(Maremmana Railway) I) 0 °40 per Cent Account b Do ,864.. b o ° Seer Cent. Anglo-French . ... die L ° .._ r iP, £43 paid.... doo r rrench Scrip, Ex. 25f 20c.. — die a d tl 4 . " 1 :1 Imperial 5 per Cent b klrannua — 410 2 b 0 iieterred b ° Land Warrants (Hectares) — o D ebentures, 4 per Ct., April 1861 — ' l l'il 0 do Aug., 1666 — b o ~4 0 . 41 per Cent .. L o ' per Cent. (Crribarren)... — 11 4 1 1, A per Cent., 1862 ertxecunt l),;gAo,ese 3 per Cent., 1853 .. b o rcount — I), per Cent., 1856, '7, '9, '6O, 62,'3 — t in-ccount • • b o PI, 5 per Cent 1822, £ St., — b 't Per Cent., 1860 1 1 • • ---- o 3 1800 D o , Per Cent 1859 521 b o ' Per Cent, 1862 B7t ti b e 8 : 1864 — ‘t(li o . e r , l), £65 paid k D o 'ail 6 per Cent — ok.Account 11 o hill 3 Cent D A ccount o N .,. D o New Deferred b Account b ° passiveci 311 tti., A ccount 3ll 0,-. Cert. of Coup not funded — IV ecil 4 l l Acc eunt 1 /rt. 4 • ' l . l O l Z n ,B Pe p r Cent. nt . 1854 "" 6 't , eunt .. 1 0 A Per Cent. 1658 o'count' 7O I) 1.00 -n A 5 -.forms bo g ,er Cent. 1862 ' y e Account .. 72 40 10 C ) Bonds.. 714 2 , h o (l b _ u Q e 1 8 7,7 r..ted, 4 per . Cent. .. ... 100 ''.z ile ` i ",. ) S crip,. £4O paid be 4,,:‘,:i per Cent. be 6 „"illnt — 0 A . ."'„ e r Cent., 1862 o" 6 'eunt .... A b i t. Cent., 1864 •• -- 04t ri " ( lends on the above payable in London e i ' .l % 4ll ' 6 Per C 0 . 4 44. ~ ent., Ex. 10 Florins. '4__ dog 2, 1 .1, , ) '; . Cent., Ex. 25f... itsot Pot. 0 uent., Ex. 12 Gni' ~14 _ iteutent. Certificates IN I) 4 , 6 55 , 3 per Cent. A ,) f t Per c . 101 1 ,,.; cc ou „, ent 1861, Ex. 25 francs — 1 . t : 1 14 1). ba l i ok tm _ . ar Bonds, 41 per Ct. Ex. 4s. e "'4, 5 per Cent., Ex. 25f — N 4 O% t/ THREE O'CLOCK. IA N I , "`o9t ---• .. -..., • 4.• 89 tem ~ Er. 6. a .. MAJ?:AS:EiTS.----.This day. ORDINARY SHARES AND STOOLS. Share Railways. 13.14 st at st 50 20 Sir., Wol., and Str. Val.l all Slythe and Tyne. Bristol and Exeter lOU ealedonian IOu cork and Bandon a'l Cornwall all 1) „ A A :';ets no div all Do. B 6 pe.pan.11;,6 ( been paid to I>ubliu La llellast June.; all L)un.,l'urth,&Ab. Juno.: all Edinburg - h Glasp,'row., 1 00 ulasg. and S. Western.! 1 0 0 tireatEastern, Ord. sticr 100 Ditto A atock 1 100 Ditto EastAnglian stl 100 Glreat/tiorthol Scotland; 100 J.; reat North ern 1 100 Do A stock ! 100 Do B do Gt. S. an, i W. of Irelan !' 100 Great Westerr,Original 10 0 Do Str Val ona. 100 Do. South Wales Do. lOu Do Newport bOe Do Hereford 10( Lancashire & Yorkshire) 100 London and Blackw a ll, 100 Lon., Bright., t S. C oas t: 100 Lon., Chat., and Doverj 100 Lon. & North Western! 100 Lon. & So , ,th Western' 100 Ilan., Shef., & Lincoln, 100 Alaryport and Carlisle. all Do t 5hare5........, all Metropolitan all Midland Do Birming. & Derby 100 klid. Gt. W. of Ireland all Do. shares Kent North British Edin., Perth, & Dundee 100 Nth. Eastern—Berwick 100 Do, G.N.E. purchase 16.13.4 Do Leeds lOO Do York Do Carlisle..... 100 Do. Stock. & Darling. all Do do 1855-58 19 Do do 15.i1.-61 IL North London Do New . . 7i Do New, 1804 North Staffordshire all N. and S. W. Junction all Scottish Central Scot. N. E., Aber. stock 100 Do Scot. Mid. stook lOO Shrews. and Welchpool all Shropshire Union South Devon ... . 100 South Eastern • • 100 Staines,Wok.,and Wok. all raft Va1e....,,,.,,,, 100 Do C Vale of Neath Waterford & Kilkenny; 100 West Cornwall ; 100 W. Hartlepool 100 P. Closin g Paid., 1 rrioe. 87 CO 131 132 6 7 34 36 16 17 90 92 106 108 474 49,E 7; 8i 13k 135 155 k 156! 130 13/ Fs 90 7J 74 67 69 57 59 44 16 160 102 116 ;16; 82 84 104 105 37 39 1184 119 97 i 9 654 664 12) )21 118 aB4 106 <OB 55 67 25 't7 113 /14 71i 72i L 3 104 38 39 11 12 p 9 10 F i 120 125 13 21) 1 13 79 80 NI ll} 138 142 58 6) 42 44 851 f 5,1 8 163 168 35 45t 1.8 110 38 40 BRITISH POSSESSIONS. Railways itlantic & St Lawrenc. som.,l 3 aroda&.Cent In , G u. 6 per cent........ Do. E. Shares... • 7 1unalo and Laaellurot Do. Prefergnoe .... • • iuffalo,Brant,&oodricl p. ct. bds. Aug. 1, IS7 Jo. do. July 1, 18;' t o do. June 1. Is. feta ta.tt S. E a stn. 'spe'Pown & I toe', tier. Demerara 7 p.o. per. pf Isengat mu. i,. tLast Indian, teu. 5 p. Do. do. J Ext Trunk or can,i,- Do. Equip. Mort. Bonds 1 charge 6 per cent Do. Ist crei: Bona,. Do. ao. deferred Do. 2d Pref. Bonds—, Do. do. deferred Do. 3d P. ef. stock Do. do. deferred..... Do. 4th Pref. stock Do. do. deferred Ot.lndta Penin.Lrua.sp., Do. Gni. 5 per cen' Do. New gu, 5 p. it. South.of India(Lini uaranteed 5 per cent Do. 4,1 per cent.— Do. •••• •• f, W. ol Canada Share, Do. New .. Do. 6 p.o. '73 with't opt , )o. 5i p. o. do. '77-8.. . Indian Branch Limited Aladras guar., 5 p. o. Do. 4t p. o. Extensiot Dc. Do. Fifth Extension. th . lb.Corp. p. o. Bud:. %telt% & Hobson's Bay. Vewßruvswiek et Cana. Class A and B. V.ll.l.C'dati pc ist f bd, Soinde It/o. Delhi ;• •••• t ')o. do ti Do. Punjaub a • Do. Indua.St. Flol) all 100 100 100 2 1 , 0 100 Closing Price. Paid, 58 CO 1021 V3i id's ip 5 5i 8 9 75 80 P 8 100 8) 80 1021 1031 103 A 1' 21 22 83 91 70 72 61 44 66 68 56 58 53 54 47 50 3) 32 28 30 103 k ao4i pr p pr LONIAL GOVERD British Colunibia,G per cent., Dec. 31,1872... Do. do. 1883.... 0,.(,(a - .61!.c.J a. &Jui . 1877-S4 ..... ....._.. Do.Ap.c.b'eb.&Au Do. d p. o.Mar. & Sept Do. C p. o. Jan.&.luly. Do. 5 Inscribed etoe: ape G. /lope, 8 p 0,187, I)o.Ap &Oct. 18S( Do. 189 , )o. Jan. & July. 1891. d Tiov.lN64, 6 p Do. 1878, do. llauritlus 6 p.0eut.1873 Do. 1878 Do. 882 'atal Gov. 6 per cent.. 1.8.G0v. 6 p.c. J a...t3 al) 4, S. W. Gov. 5 p Dv. 5 p. c.,187.t to lilt Do. d0.,1888 upwd, ew Zealand 6 p cent , TOTEL Scotia Gov. 6 p. c sterling, 1875. lueensland Gcv. 6 p. c. i.Aus Gov. 6 p.e.1r68- Do. 1.70 ctui ward 4... t Vic. Gov. 6 p.c. Ja...t.1u1)) Do. 10 6 p.c. An...t0c1.. 101 163 9 Vi 11& 11- 88 90 80 62 1 d 102 i 163 96 98 91 03 59 51 P 2 S 4 10: 103 1024 1034 1 fd fp 1 1024 1034 15 97 [O4l 4 i 'l' SEC URITIES. 97 99 97 99 97 99 87 89 88 89 103 105 iO5 10? Ic6 108 109 111 101 104 119 112 105 107 106 109 (6 108 v. 4 1(6 98 101 IS 100 95 117 04 96 105 107 99 101 101 10) 107 109 1061 1(11 941 Si 1041 i Business done. BRITISH MINES. .mbrian Consol. Gold 'Chiverton ioneru Amalgamated. )evon G. Cone. (Taoist. Drakewal ....... . ast Bassettallogani.. East Caradon ...... , sst Cara 8rea...•..., East Grenville ........ East Lovell .... W Russel (Tavis Lk. I.arn.,Vit.Aubyn(Gwen Great Laxey, ireat 6ouut olgus... Wheal Vor(l_lelstoL Irenville.. ler&d's-Foot iingiston Downs..... Margaret (Uny -iarke Valley.. vndv Iron Ore (Lim. . :env betvn ~r th . North Roskear.. "di) Wheal Crafty Prosper ,u,lueneu k uny Leh,. oath Caradon(lit.Clee, .Wheai Fran2(illoial stray Park in Croat Vest Basset (:110 =an) C , radon (Li s k ear , 'Vest Chiver :on ,S uP 1 61110.3 heal Basset (Illogan heal BallerMedrutl i , ott ....... . ,V heal Mary. Ann !Men ,Vhcal Teton .i'healTreiawney (Lis :Vheal Union 2.1.0. su 14.0 2.7.0. 2.13.6. x. 13.. all 10 78 . '3.13 1.18.( ( 214 3 29} .1.1 6 2.8 0 7.1. iu 6.7 11 10.17. E 8i 7i 32 113 680 600 I'ItEFERENCEZSHA ICES. Great Eastern, E. Counties, Ext. No. 2, Ditto, 6 p r cent. pt., 120 Great Western Orig. 4i per cent pt, 07 8 North Eastern, Cons. pref., 4 per cent., Ditto 4i per cent. red., 933 PREFErtENCE SHARES AND STOCKS. Great Eastern 4} per cent. pf., 90i Ditto, 5 per cent. pf, 99 ; London, Chatham, &c., kletrop. Ext., C 6 per cent., 701 LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. Northern and Eastern per cent.; 53} Nottng,ham and Grantham It. & G, 92 FORIO GN RAIL WAYS. Great Luxembourg, 11; II Royal Sardinian, 1; Sambre and Meuse, 7} San Paulo (lim.),',:gua. 7 per cent., 14 Ditto (all), 18} FOILEIG/i MINES, Alamillos, limited, if Port Philip. 11.2 United Mexican Um), 5 Yudanansutana of B. Australia, lim., 11 BANIth. Alliance Rim.), 87 61 Bank of British Columbia, l 6 Bank of utago, lim., 6 Bsnk of Wales, lim., 155 British North American. 481 9 Chartered Alm of India. London, and China, 611 Imperial Bank (lim.). 341 4 International Bulk, 11m.. 9 4 London Bank of Mexico and S. America, Jim., 7i London and County, 78,a London Joint Stock, 49i Merchant Bank, Jim, 281 Oriental Banx Corporation. 561 ProYincial of Ireland. 89 8f Scinde, Punjaub, and Delhi. Um., 101 South Eastern, lim., 111 Union of Australia,:s4l Union of London, 56, 6 7 MISCELLANEOUS. City Offices, Hm., 41 Commeroial Union, Insurance, 8} Credit Fonder and Mobilier of England, 81 Ditto (£2), 5 I Credit Fonder of Mauritius, lim,, 6i Crystal Palace. 32} East Indian Financial, lim., 31 East India Irrigation and Canal, 6- 1 Gen. Credit and Fi nance o f London, .11f0., Hudson's Bay, 16} Imperial Mercantile Credit A sso., International Financial society, 11m, 7 4 I Land Securities, I im., 4 London General Omnibus Company, 3 M 'dray Irrigation and Canal, Ditto (all), 21 201 National Discount Company, Um., 181 I Ocean Ai arine Insurance), 251 Ottoman leinanci II Association, Um., 6 ., Royal Mail Steam:9 t Telegrat h Construe. and Maintenance, Um., 21 van Diemen'. Land, eti THE Su N, LONDO, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMi3ER, 15, 1864. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.--This Day. MARLBOROUGH STREET, A FATHER CHARGED WITH THROWING BOILING WATER OVER HIS DAUG HTER.—Thomas Beehar, a labouring man, living at No, 6, Long's-court, Leicester square, was charged before Mr Tyrwhitt with throwing a kettle of boiling water ' over his daughter, Susan Beehar, about 13 years of age. Mrs Annie Beehar, a respectable looking woman, the wife of the prisoner, said that last night her husband came home bringing with him something to cook for supper. Her husband had been drunk every day and night for a week and had ill-used her a good deal. While the supper was cooking her husband blew out the candle and then tried to knock her down, but was prevented. He then seized hold ot• a kettle of boiling water and throw it at her, and some of the water went on her daughter. In answer to Mr 1 yrwhitt, the wife said her husband was sometimes a teetotaler, and spent the money he saved while he was so when he got drunk. Susan Beehar, the prisoner's daughter, said that her father took up the kettle and threw it at her mother, and some of the boiling wat, r went on her (witness's) face, in juring her eye. She was taken to the lnspital and had her e} 'o attended to, Before her father took up the kettle he was goirg to strike her mother, but she prevented him. The prisoner said he did not intend to throw the water over the girl. Mr Tyrwhitt said the prisoner was a savage fellow towards his wife and family, and he should order him to find one bail in £lO to keep the peace for six months. ROBBERY IN A TAYEuN.-1 - lenry Jackson, describing, himself as ,a greengrocer, of Paradise-place, Marylebone was charged with stealing a purse containing 16g. in postage stamps and Bs. in money, besides some papers of value from the person of Mr Wm. Tucker, carriage sales man, of No. 33, Earl-street, Edgeware-road. The prosecutor was very positive, the prisoner took the purse from his pocket, but the prisoner stoutly denied doing so. Mr Tyrwhitt committed the prisoner for trial. WESTMINSTER. DISTRESSING CASE.—Mary Eugenia Park, a very nice looking little girl, only thirteen years of age, was placed at the bar charged with felony. Elizabeth Barn ord. lodginghons:-keeper, 151, Tach brook-street, Pitnlico, said that the prisoner had been in her service for three months, and left about the end of last July, About a n onth ago, having occasion for a shawl which had been put away at the end of last winter, she went to look for it, and then found that both that and a cloak were miss ing. Suspecting the prisoner to have taken the things, she sent to where she was living in service yesterday, and in consequence of what she learnt gave the accused into cus tody. The policy proved that they received infortuatiL n and took the prisoner into custody, In consequence of a state ment she made they got the ticket of the shawl. Thomas Clarke, assistant at Mr Karsgood's, pawnbroker, Gloucester-terrace, Vauxhall-bridge-road, produced a shawl pledged on the 13th of July for 5s in the name of Clarke. Prisoner admitted that she had pawned the shawl, and appeared very penitent. On being asked what had become of the cloak, she said she had pawned it, and given the ticket to a little girl, who had lost it. The little girl's mother told her that she could dispose of anything she brought there. The former part of this statement was confirmed, but the .atter denied. 1:Ir Arnold sent for the acculed's father, and asked him if he would be answerable for her good behaviour for three months ? The father, an aged, respectable looking man, declined. He said that this was unfortunately not the first time his daughter had been guilty of dishonesty. He had tried everything, but could do nothing with her. Mr Arnold said he was very sorry, ani the law must take is course. The prisoner was very young, and he had thought her led away by bad advice and associates, and was anxious to have given her another chance by handing her over to her father to prevent her ruin. She was committed for three months. LAW INTELLIGENCE—This Day. COURT OF DIVORCE. (Before the Judge Ordinary and a Special Jury.) STONE Y. STONE AND APPLETON. Mr Coleridge, Q.C., this morning summed up the evi dence on the part of the respondent, and contended that the whole of the evidence entirely failed to substantiate the charges against the respondent. The learned gentleman then proceeded to comment upon the evidence that had been offered in the case. That of Susan Marks, as to the state of Mrs Stone's health, was strongly corrobora tive of the respondent's care, for nothing could be more unattractive than Mrs Stone's condition and illness at the time she was stated to be having continuous adulteries with Mr Appleton, a married man, with a wife at home and children to take care of. It was monstrous to think itl Passing on to the evidence of Mr Deane Baker, it was strange that he should have gone down to Sidmouth as a " candid friend," as the late Mr Canning called such people, to ascertain the truth of the charge made by Mrs Stern against Mr Appleton, when he had previously heard the statement of Susan Harris; and, if he had believed knew that Mis Stone had almost hourly, and certainly constantly, been guilty of most shameless adultery. With much feeling the learned counsel commented on the conduct of Mr Wayett, who, he said, forgot his duties as a clergyman in taking part against a woman who, it might have been thought, would have enlisted the sympathy of any man with even the heart of a fly ; and if he, as a minister of Christ, went to his parishioners' houses to listen to and treasure up accusations against an unhappy woman in her distress and agony, the sooner clergymen, or rather, he (Mr Coleridge) ought to say, such clergymen, kept away the better. Adverting to the medical evidence, Mr Coleridge urged that it was abundantly proved that the assumption of the child of Mrs Stone being a seven months or a nine months' child was strongly in favour of the case for the respondent, and unless the jury were to think that the ordinary laws of nature had been suspended to convict this unhapy and much injured woman. Mr Coleridge concluded a speech of great power and energy, and which occupied two hours in its delivery, by saying—l regret that in the full and, as I hope, only the conscientious discharge of my duty, I have so long detained you. I leave it in your hands. I ask you to tear asunder the dark cloud and cruel aspersions which have surrounded her case and been cast upon her by her own husband. Judge her as if it was your own case, and ask yourselves really and truly as sensible men how far you would like the reputation of any one you cared for, whether wife, sister, or daughter, to be blasted for ever upon the miserable evidence in this case. Judge her as you would judge yourselves ; try this evidence in the crucible of your honesty of purpose and in the fidelity of your truth, and I am perfectly satisfied that Mrs Stone can have no fear as to the result, There was a burst of applause at the conclusion of the learned advocate's address. Mr Lopez (in the absence of the Queen's Advocate' replied on the part of Captain Stone, (The trial was proceeding when we went to press.) THE LATE STORMS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN, SlR,—The 7?ines not having inserted a letter on the above subject which I sent to that journal on the 10th inst., and as I consider such neglect, an iejustice to the cause of pre dictive moterology, I beg of you to favour me with space in your valuable columns for the following paragraphs ex tracted from a letter received by me from a gentleman personally unknown to me : " Virginia-Buildings, Glasgow, Deo, 9, 1864, Dear Sir,—As Mr Allnatt, in his letter to the Times of the 21 inst., in seeking for "weather prophets," as deserv ing such title for their successful prediction of the late storms, has singled out M. Mathieu de la Drorne and M. Levenier, apparently not deeming any of his countrymen worthy of the honour, I think it but just to you to note the following gales which occurred in this neighbourhood, as in a great measure fulfilling the predictions (extending from 25th Nov to 7th Dec.) made public by you in your work entitled " The Weather Guide Book," published about six months since ; and, as an additional proof of their correctness, I refer you to The Daily _Review (Edinburgh) sent herewith. " Gales—Nov. 25, 27, 28, 29, 30—Dec. 2,4, 7. " Very .wet on 21st and 22d November. High tempera ture (for the season) on the 28ih and 29th of November. On the 30th atmospheric light, more fully seen at Dunbar. • • • . I observed that meteors were seen in England on 21st and 26th November.-_.I remain, dear Siroyours truly, ' " MICHAEL J. BELL." The predictions referred to above were worded at, pp. 119-20 of " The Weather Guide Book" (which you did me the honour to review in your impression of the 2d inst.) as follows " Nov. 21. Strong wind and meteors. " Nov. 22, Wet. Nov. 25. Strong wind. Nov, 26. Lightning or meteors. " Nov. 30 to Dec. 7. Very high temperature, followed by heavy hail or thunderstorms; then gales, electric disturb , . once, Sce." A thunderstorm of great violence visited Arisvig on Nov. 30, and destroyed the church tower, according to the Times of Dec, am, Sir, your obedient servant, ALFRED J. PEARCE. 12, Gloucester-street, South Belgravia, Dec, 15, Tit-bits from Punch. --♦- THE MOST NOTORIOUS Tlmes'-SERVERS OF THE PRE SENT DAY.—Messrs W. H, Smith and Co., of the Strand, and nearly every railway stall in the kingdom. GREAT SHOCK,—A lady we know was startled the other day by being told that some one was waiting below for her " body."—Dressmakers should be careful. THE PRESENT SPIRITUALISTIC EXCITEMENT.—The Tie-fuss fever. " Go IT, YE CRIPPLES l"—The foot-lights at Covent garden are to see a one-legged dancer engaged by the English .ffopera Company. A proper step of the directors ? ARISTOCRATIC LOOKER-ON.—The Earl of Stair. APPROPRIATE TESTIMONIAL TO THE BROTHERS DA. VENPORT.—TWO ropes'-ends—and the sack. WHO'S CUMMING ?—Christmas. MARKETS—This Day MARK-LANE. IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES. - Wheat, 38s 4d ; barley, 28s 8d ; oats, 19s 10d ; rye, 26s 7d ; beans, 37s 2d; and peas, 34s 11d. THE SIX. WEEKS' AVERAGES..-- Wheat, 38s 8d ; barley, 29s &l ; oats, 19s Ild ; rye, 30s Ild ; beans, 37s 8d ; peas, 35s 2d. ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 96,245 ; barley, 105,620 ; oats, 8,791; rye, 42; beans, 4,243; peas, 1,895 qrs, METROPOLITAN CATTLE. Our market to-day was seasonably well supplied with beasts both as to number and quality. All breeds sold freely, and Monday's prices were well supported. A few very superior Scots realised 6s, but the general top price was 5s 10d per alb. The show of sheep was very moderate. Sales progressed steadily at full quotations. The beat Djwns and half-breds produced 6s per 81b. There were a few lambs in the pens, but they commanded scarcely any attention, Calves were in fair average supply and steady request at Monday's prices, viz., from 4s 4d to 5s 6d per Slb. Pigs were rather dearer, but mulch cows were very dull. Per Sibs. to sink the offal. 8. d. s. d. 8. d. s d Crse. & inf. beasts 3 10 4 6 Primecrs••wool d 0.5 4 5 8 Second quality do. 4 8 5 2 Pme.S'thdowndo.s 10 6 0 Prime large oxen 5 4 5 8 Large orse. calves 4 4 5 0 Prime Scots, &c. 5 8 5 10 Prime small do 5 2 5 6 Urse. & inf. sheep 4 0 4 8 Large hogs 3 6 4 4 Second quality do. 4 10 5 2 Small porkers... , 4 6 4 10 Lambs....os Od to Os 05. Suckling calves, 168 to 228 ; and quarter-old store pigs 21s to 26s each. TOTAL SUPPLY. FOREIGN SUPPLY. Beasts ... Cows l2O , Sheep Sheep Calves 340 `Pins Pigs 7201 MEAT MARKETS. NEWOATE AND LEADENNALL.—The supplies of meat are moderately good, and the trade is steady, as follows : Beef, trom 3s Od to 4s 10d; mutton, 3s 10d to 5s Od ; veal, 4s Od to 4s 10d ; and pork, 3s ti'd to 53 2d per Blbs by the carcase, SOUTHALL, Dec. 14.—The supplies of stock were only moderate for the time cf year. Generally speaking, ihe trade ruled steady, as follows :—Beet, from 3s 10d to Os 68 ; mutton, 4s Od to tis Od ; veal, 4s 4d to bs Od; and pork, 3s 10d to 4s 10d per Sibs, to sink the offal. ROMFORD, Dec. 14,—Prime stock sold readily on higher terms; otherwise, the trade was far from active. Beat, from 3s 3d to 5s 10d ; mutton, 4s Od to 6s d ; veal, 48 2d to 5s Od ; and pork, 4s Od to 4s 10d per 81bs. Suckling calves, 17s to 20s ; quarter old store pigs, 20s to 25s ; and man cows, -615 Os to £l9 Os each. HAY MARKETS. SMITIIFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 48 to £5 5s Od ; clover, £5 5.i to £6 6s Od ; and straw, £1 6s to £1 10s per, load. A. fair demand. CIMIRERLAND—MeadowjIay, £4 4s to £5 5s Od; clover, £5 5s to £6 6s Od; and straw, £1 6s to £1 lOs per load, Supply moderate. WHITECHAPEL,—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 5s Od ; clover, £5 58 to £6 6s Od; and straw, £1 5s to £1 10s per load. Trade steady. COAL M. ?Mee of Coi►l per Ton at S. d. .AItKET. t the ease of tho market. Walls, End. Byass's Bebside West Hartley , , 18 6 West Hartley 18 61 llolywell ..18 6 Hastings Hartley....lB 6 ' t Wylara 18 6 s. d. Hetton 22 6 Rough Hall 22 0 K elloo.. .. South Kelloe 22 3 Russel's Hetton 21 9 East Hartlepool 22 9 Hartlepool 22 3 Harton 20 3 Tunstall t, 36; sold, 33, Walls End. South Hetton ...... 6 KeiperOrange 21 9 I Ships at market A CAPITAL BIT OF FIIN. (Meaning the New Christmas Number of it !) The longest-lived of all the rivals of Punch—the one only prosperous rival of Punch—not a " Shil ling's worth of Nonsense" but 07/6 Penny's worth of FUN comes out just now so hilariously close upon the' eve of Christmas that, looking at it, we some , . Low seem to see it double ! Yes, sure enough, in the left-hand corner of it—under date Decem. ber 15, 1864, " Price Twopence." The Christmas Number of "FuN" it is, in fact, and—as our head ing intimates—A Capital bit of Fun, too To begin with, a thoroughly original little comical story, about a regular Yankee Munchausen, one Z3l) Sump—written'by that right-good story teller, Ciptain Mayne Reid, and intit:ed (with a sort of a bindbad illustration at the top of it) " Trapped in a Tree : a Back wood's Adventure." After that—an extravagantly ridiculous celebr tion of " The Cattle Show" by Our S - pecit Bucolic Commissioner. Four comic cuts—every one of them really and truly comical— in the middle of this excellent number of Fun for Christmas. Here (in proof of their having "something" in them—that is, in the way of real comicality) are the themes of these four principal cuts of Fun in the way of embellishment. On, TIIE CiavErt DHRAB I—Mistress : " Why, Bridget, surely you are not wiping your hand on the drawing-room tablecloth ?" Bridget : " Sure, 'tis on the dark part, mum ; an' I was but dustin' the dlariftin' dirt off a the tiand o' me, for fear when I'd be washing I might make a baste of a mess on the clane towel below,"—[ Vistress is perfectly satisfied, of course.] KNIGHT OF THE BROOM to professional friend, alluding to De Bro:s n's cigarette (loq.)—" Hi, Villiam, 'ere's a curiosity ! 'ore's a 'eavy swell a smokin' brown paper I" Mucif TOO CRUEL.—(Florence reproachfully)—" Oh I Cousin Tabby, for shame; you are really too cruel; here is another evening gone, and leap-year nearly over, and you have not yet proposed." LADY—" Well, Freddy dear, did you share the sixpence I gave you last time with your little sister ?" FREDDY DEAR—" Yes, M'm." Lady—" And what did she say ?" Freddy dear—" She said, perhaps you'd give us a shil ling this time," Two other rather funny pictures there are (neither of them, however, nearly so well drawn as the four just mentioned)—under one of which we read— " Consolation.—lavalid (after a lull in conversation) —Well, Bill, what are you thinking about ? Friend (who has called to cheer him up)—Well, Joe, I was thinking what a precious long coffin you would take "—and under the other—" Small•Beer,— Cabby (vociferously)—Ere Porter! Porter ! Porter ! Somewhat obese functionary—Now then, stow that, can't yer! If you was stout how would you like to be calved Porter ?' To wind all up befittingly with a very odd sort of an enforcement of the old proverb, "laugh and grow fat," FuN's Christmas Number ends with a ridicu lonely laughter-moving celebration of Bantingism AN AUTHOR'S EXPLANATION. Mr, G. A. S ala's " Quite Alone," The following completely satisfactory explanation of a curious little incident in Modern Authorship, is the Advertisement prefixed to Mr. Sala's new novel," Quite Alone"—the story recently completed under unusual circumstances in All the Year Round, and issued from the press by Messrs. Chap man and Hall in its completed form as a three volumed novel, only this very day, the 15th of De• cember. Mr. Sala's Explanation, as given in this "Advertisement" wa have spoken of as corn. pletely eatisfactory. And it, surely, must prove so to every ene—but himself! Certainly to the public at large, to Mr. Charles Dickens, to the Messrs. Chapman and Hall, to that anonymous "other hand" of whom Mr. Sala speaks as of a collaborateur. Having said whioh, we commend the following to very general perusal, as the last scrap of pleasant writing endited by a Sixteen Years' Favourite among English lovers of Light Literature : ADVERTISEMENT. The concluding poi lion of tliede volumes—tlA,L is to say. from page 185, vol iii., to the end--is not mine. " Quite Alone" has been finished during my absence from Eng land by "another hand." It is now my duty, in fair ness to the public, and in justice to my publishers and myself, briefly and candidly to explain how it has come about that a work put forth under my name contains many pages not written by me. I will at once drop the convenient, but very frequently disingenuous, plea of ill health. I was, it is true, when I left this country more than a year since, exceedingly unwell, and have had since then several attacks of in fluenza, a calenture or two, a low fever, and a touch of what seemed to be premonitory of the voinilo mgro ; but, on the whole, I have been no more an invalid than could be expected in the case of a traveller rushing from one trying climate to another, and have, thank God, "kept my health" in a remarkable degree. When I quitted home, in November, 1863, the novel of " Quite Alone" was about halt finished. It was entirely owing to the exceptional kindness of Mr Charles Dickens that its publication was commenced in "All the Year Round:" it being, I believe, the rule with the proprietors of that periodical never to commence a serial story with out the whole of the manuscript having come into their hands. But Mr Dickens was good enough b hope, and I was sanguine enough to jrelieve, that I could, within four or five months from the date of my departure, remit to him the concluding portion of the work, lam sure I did my best to bring about this consummation, so de sirable to us both ; but I signally failed. Page by page, like so many drops of blood, about two hundred slips of manuscript oozed from me between spring and summer. They were written with a hard lead pencil on slips of carbonised paper placed ,upon tissu3. I was obliged to "manifold" ray m umscript, to guard against the uncer tainties of the post. They were written at intervals of many days, and of thousands of miles, They were written in a hammock in Cuba, on board steamers, in railway cars, n hotel verandahs, in the midst of noise, confusion, smoke, cursing and swearing, battle, murder, and sudden death. In the month of August I broke down altogether, and the mails went out without any more of my tissue paper, I had lost the thread of my narrative. I had forgotten the very names of my dramailis personce. I was in a new coup• try—a new world, among strange scenes and strange people, hurrying from place to place, badgered and baited and hated, always abused, often in peril of my life, and under all hazard compelled to send home every week from six to eight columns of matter to a London newspaper. To those who may accuse me of idleness or carelessness, I can only plead that I was the correspondent for 12 months in the United States and Mexico of the Daily Telegraph. As regards " quite Alone," I had undertaken a task which I was utterly unable to accomplish. It was the Thirteenth labour of Hercules : tho last straw; and it broke my back. When I endeavoured subsequently to catch up the lost link I found that it was too late. The conductors of "All the Year Round," reduced to desperation by the non-arrival of any more copy, and anxious to keep faith with their readers, confided my unfinished story to "another hand," by whom it was brought to a close, sans Bien quc mad. Till I returned to Engtand I never knew who that other hand was. Under the circumstances it is impossible for me to complain of the manner in which the selection was made; and I am sure that I am infinitely beholden to the gentle man who, at a very brief notice, addressed himself to such an unthankful task. Returning, then, to commence fresh labours and incur fresh literary responsibilities. I found, to my dismay, that " Quite Alone , was advertised for re-publication in a col lected form. In common justice to Messrs. Chapman and Hall, in whose interest the book was originally projected, I could not deny my consent to its being so re-published. Those gentlemen had treated me throughout with infinite liberality, courtesy, and forbearance, and I felt that I had no right to spoil their market and to keep their capital lying dead, when the delay to which they had been sub jected was duo simply to my own lackes. In conclusion, I beg respectfully to say that if the public will receive the fiist edition of `‘ Quito Alone,. in a tolerant and charitable spirit, and if the demand for it should warrant the issue of another edition, it will be my duty and pleasure to complete it according to the original plan mapped out, and to the very best of my ability. And that charity and tolerance I arm confident enough to hopo for from a public whose laborious servant I have been for sixteen years. GEORGE AUGUSTUS GALA. 61, Guildford-street, Russell-square, December, 1861. At the Central Criminal Court yesterday Alfred Thomas Jackson was tried on the charge of murder. ing a fellow-workman named Roberts id Clerkenwell. The jury found him guilty of manslaughter, and he was sen tenc?d to penal servitude for life. Another case tried during the day was that of Mr. Withers. Ho was charged with having caused the death of Mary Deakin. It will be re membered that she rushed into the street, in Barbican, with her dress in flames. She was so much injured that she died a few days afterwards in the hospital. Before her death, however, she state, that she had met with the acci dent while endeavouring to escape from Withers, her em. ployer, who wished to take liberties with her. Upon this he was charged with manslaughter. ThP jury esterday acquitted him, THAMES. TRAGICAL AFFAIR IN SHADIVELL.—Antonio Alexander, an Italian seaman, aged 20, was brought bfore Mr Par tridge, charged with cutting and weunding George Smitb, a seaman, in a house of ill-fame, No. 13, Albert-street, Shadwell. Mr Charles Young, solicitor ) defended the prisoner. The man who is stabbed was removed to the London Hospital immediately after he was stabbed in the abdomen, He is in a very precarious condition. It was rumoured in the district, in which considerable excitement prevails, that ho was dead. We believe there is no possibility of his re covery, but it is the opinion of Mr Grubb, the house• surgeon of the hospital, that he may live a few days, The certificate handed to Mr Partridge, and signed R. T. Grubb, stated that Smith had received two wounds, one in the abdomen and one in the chest, and that he was in great danger therefrom. It appeared from the evidence that the Italian visited a woman of the class called unfortunate, in Albert-street, at one o'clock this morning, and that a quarrel took place be tween him and Smith, in the course of which the prisoner took a sheath-knife from his pocket and plunged it into the abdomen of the man Smith, and as he was falling hit him again on the chest. The prisoner immediately absconded, went home to his lodgings in Sutton-street, Commercial road, packed up all his things and sea kit, and hired a cab, in which he proceeded to a coffee-house in Drummond-street, Euston-square. When the cab returned, Paul Orchard, n police-constable, 321 K, whose conduct is deserving of great praise (and who saw the prisoner leave his house before the intelligence of the affair reached him), asked the driver where he had taken the Italian, "To a coffeeshbp in Drummond-street," was the reply. " Then drive me back there directly," said the tour horse will take me." On rea e policeman,h;ng the ‘ ` "and as coffee-house a u t se s in Drummond-street, Orchard heard that the foreigner of whom he was in search was in bed. Orchard immediately proceeded to his apartment and took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner intended to proceed to Liverpool by the first morning train. Mr Charles Young saiol there was a quarrel in the house in Albert-stect, and the pti,oner was beset by three men who offered to fight him. The feud was concerning the The prisoner fearing that h womane the shouldlt Italian robbed an w as teak out his knife and used it, Inspector Roberts, of the li division, sail it was neces sary that the deposi ion of the wounded man should be taken as early as possible.• Mr Partridge said he would proceed to the London Hos pital directly he had disposed of the night charges. The prisoner, who formerly belonged to thoSonfederate ship Florida taken in Bahia harbour, was formally re^ mended for a week. He has been here three weeks and received £l5, the wages dce to him on his arrival. THE ALBERT ORPHA N ASYLUM,—Yesterday at a public meeting held at the M ans i on -house, the Lord Mayor with the above designatiotim for the reception of orphans, committee, comprising some of the principal merchants and , was set on foot. The managing in the chair, a new asylii citizens, t have furnishing. rn purchased s hing. k suitable building near Bagshot, with 200 acres of land, ate cost of £15,000, including the expense report was read which stated that u o r phan child r e n n ow wa i t i ng t o b e m institutions and it was argued that if t at h hd e e r r e iet w twe e de r r e ien s nt u eo c a h eCly n is u 2t m inog b o e oi r n s % e i f t child ren for whom friends were canvassing to obtain admission, there must be thousands in a less hopeful position who had no one to take up their cause. It was to rescue these abs ilutely destitute children irlthat admitted been established. The children to be 100 will be from six to 12 years d thoseh:td who have lost both parents. Where and theye trheeanew family willinstitution itse r be l thearge fiizot motherless girls will also be ad mitted. The girls will be trained in needlework and to be come thorough sery oats, and an elementary knowledge of carpentering, tailoring, shown.. king, and gardening, com bined with religious and intellectual instruction will be imparted. On the 29th of Nov., 50 boys and 50 girls were elected, of all religious &nominations, and the' committee contemplate extending the building so as to accommodate 1,000 inmates. They hope to receive 200 children every year until that number is complete. The claims of such an in stitution to public sy.npathy and support were eloquently urged by Mr Chambers, the Common Sergeant, Dr Dobell, Mr Sheriff Besley, Mr Sheriff Dakin, Mr Goschen, M.P., and Lord Calthorpe. Resolutions were passed, one of which was to the effect that the asylum was established for the benefit of thoroughly destitute orphan children, a class for whom comparatively little provision was made, and as a practical memorial for perpetuating the memory of the late Prince Consort claimed the sympathy of all daises of the community. Towards the close of the meeting a long list of donations was read, amounting altogether to upwards of 47,000. REGISTRATION OF TITLE ASSOCIATI&N.--The Committee of the " Registration of Title Association" held a meeting at the Commercial Buildings, Dublin, on Saturday last, the 10th inst. The chair was taken by Colonel Knox Gore, Lieutenant of the County Sligo. The following members were present—Sir George L'Estrange, Bart. ; Jonathan Pim, Esq,; A, C. Lambert, Eng D.L. ; Captain Lindsay; John Leahy, Esq., Q,C., Chairman of Quarter Sessions; Thomas H. Todhunter; R. Denny Urlin, examiner,fLanded Estates Court; James Wilson, High Sheriff, Coup!) , Longford; William Read ; W. F. Littledale; W. Line Joynt ; and F. D. Reynolds, Honorary Secretary of the Stock Exchange, and Henry Dix Hutton, Barrister.at-Law, honorary secretaries, Esqs. Mr Hutton stated that the committee had been called together in order to consider the course which should be taken by the association with reference to the Bill for recording Titles —introduced, on behalf of the Government, by the Attorney General for Ireland. There seemed much cause for con gratulation as regards the progress made by the movement, especially/with reference to the Government Bill. This contained'some excellent provisions; but at the same time left room for considerable improvements. To point out both the one and the other was the obj et of the draft report which Air Hutton had prepared as the legal Secretary of the committee, and now submitted for their approval. The report was unanimously directed to be printed and circu.. lated. The statement of accounts for the past year was brought forward by Mr Todhunter, auditor to the associa jinn.' Several other resolutions having been passed, the meeting separated, 481 n 81 135 155 i 6 i 8? 78 i 9 1 i i 9 105 4 08 74 9 1 7 0 ff 4 4 66i 66i 1211 i 138 i i 141 14 73 MI 4 80} 80 Business don. OUR WIDOUIT QUEEN, (From the Times.) Yesterday was the third anniversary of the death of the late Prince Consort, and it was marked by a touching ceremonial. Her Majesty and the younger members of the royal family visited the beautiful mausoleum which has been erected over the Prince's remains, and paid a fresh tribute of affec.. tion to his memory. it seems but the other day that the Queen and the nation suffered this great be reavement, but in the meantime how many changes have taken place I I❑ the Queen's own family the Prince of Wales has passed from youth to manhood, and now there is an heir to the throne in the second generation. One more daughter has left her royal mother's hue for a foreign home. Ia the affairs of the world there has bzeri constant movement — wars and revolutions, immecse social and commer cial activity—bringing ever new duties to all classes and particularly to those who stand highest and are nearest to the throne. Yet the lapse of time has not yet brought a due alleviation of sorrow to the chief sufferer. Oppressed by a great grief, her liljeety has retired from the world, and devoted her lite to recollections of the past. Never has a huebaed been more justly mourned than the eminent man who was so suddenly snatched away three years since; but in all bereavements there is a time when the days of mourning should be looked upon as past. The living have their claims as well as the dead ; and what claims can be more imperative than those of a great nation and the society of one of the first European capitals ? We might also speak of her Majesty's own youthful family, whose introduction into the social life which belongs to their station depends on the resumption by the Court of its ordi nary habits. But we will confine ourselves to the public functions which the occupant of the throne may be expected to fulfil, and ask, in all duty and loyalty, whether the time has not now come when they should once more be performed in person. l'he Queen's most loyal subjects are precisely those who think it is not a matter of indifference whether the Sovereign should be seen and take part in pub lic matters and in social interenurse. No reigning House can afford to confirm in their views those who suggest that the Throne is only an antiquarian relic and Royalty itself a ceremony, who think that the less that is seen or heard of a Oourt the better, The great mass of the nation are, happily for the interests of Royalty, not of tbis opinion. They desire that the highest personage in the realm, the hereditary chief magistrate, should even in political affairs use an individual judgment and a discretion apart from the counsels of any set of politicians. The balance of the Constitution depends, in fact, on the Sovereign being able on certain occasions to rise superior to party suggestions and stand as the re. presentative of the nation and the guardian of the Executive. But for any Sovereign to be able to fulfil this high duty when required, a proper inter. course with the world and a knowledge which seclu sion soon loses are absolutely necessary. The Court of England in recent times has always been so con ducted as to give the Sovereign a familiarity with the most trustworthy opinions of the time by means of intercourse with the ablest and most respected persons in the land. To relinquish these means of learning what English people think and feel on all subjects, to dry up the sources of that Royal tact which is the most valuable quality a constitutional Sovereign can possess, is to abandon something of the prerogative of the Crown. It is impossible for a recluse to occupy the British throne without a gradual weakening of that authority which the Sovereign has been accustomed to exert. The re gulation of a household may be in the power of such a ruler, but the real sway of an empire will be itm possible. For the sake of the Crown as well as of the public, we would, therefore, beseech her Ma jesty to return to the personal exercise of her exalted functions. Law or usage, it is true, dis• penses with the Royal presence, and allows every public act to be performed by deputy. The Queen may open Parliament by commission, and, to speak of less important matters, she can make a Knight of the Garter by proclamation, or hold a levee by deputy. But these substitutions are intended for extraordinary, and not for ordinary occasions. In the early days of her Majesty's reign nothing was more gratifying to the public than to learn that there was a Royal Speech at the open ing or close of the session, and not a Message. Equally beneficial was it to the interests of the Con stitution that with the chief enterprises of the day the name of the Queen should be connected. Whether it was an industrial exhibition, or a naval review, or a new public building, it pleased the people and strengthened the Throne when her Ma jesty was on the spot as the chief patroness of the work. Such influences have a constitutional value in a State like ours. It is also fair to say that the society of England requires its chief hostess and its natural leader. In every country where Royalty exists, and moulds the manners of the wealthier classes, there is an attraction in the presence of a Court the failure of which becomes a public want. It may be that in time the London season may accustom itself to do without the Palace, but it as not desirable that we should attain that point of Republican simplicity. For every reason we trust that, now that three years have elapsed and every honour that affection and gratitude could pay to the memory of the Prince Consort has been offered, her Majesty will think of her subjects' claims and the duties of her high station, and not postpone them longer to the indulgence of an unavailing grief. A Real Ghost Story. (From the Caledonian Mercury.) We commend the following to the notice of some of the many publishers of readings for Christmas. The simple facto transpired in a parish in Roxburghshire this present month about midnight, between a Saturday and Sunday. It was moonlight but cloudy, hence the night was some times clear and at other times nearly pitch dark—in fact, it was such a night as witches, warlocks, and ghosts used to delight in, and it seemed to our informant that one of these supernatural visitants actually made its appearance in the said parish at the time above mentioned, and the place was the churchyard. But to begin at the beginning of the story, as it was narrated to us by a respectable person who lived in a cottage hard by the scene, and who wit his wife and family also got a fright. They had just retired to rest for the night. There was no light in the room but the flickering light of the dying embers of the fire in the grate, when suddenly the door opened, and an elderly woman rushed into the room. She was almost out of breath, and sat down almost exhausted on the nearest seat. She nearly fainted away. The guidfolks of the house recollected that they had for gotten to lock the door, and thought it must be some human being in great distress who had run into their house for protection. They gave her a drink to revive her, and when she came round a little, in answer to the question what ailed her ? sha muttered out amidst long drawn sighs, that "she thought the time had gaen by for ghosts, but she had seen one the nicht.' In this way she proceeded to tell how she had gone to pay a visit to her dear departed husband's grave, for there was naebody like her John. He was aye dear to her, and now that he was away there was nane to fill his place, and she never felt happy unless when she was beside him. Aye, his very dust wa s dear to her, and she could spend whole nights beside him yet, though he had been buried now for months. Sho said she had often before gone and stood beside his tombstone for hours, and no one had fashed her till that night, when she had got sic a gliff that she thought sho would not get over it. " Oh, me," said she, " that awfu'-looking man. It wasna ma John. Nu, na, ma John had nae ugly-looking, black face like you; and then the awfu' man never spoke a word, but made sic unearthly sounds, and pointed wi' his hands whiles up and whiles down, that I didna ken whether he was free aboon or be• low, and ho made a' sorts of queer manoeuvres. He put his hands up to his heed, and looked for a' the world like the black falla wi' his horns. It wasna ma John, I am sure, for he wadna hoe gliffad me that way, and then he would have spoken to me that I could ha' kenned what he said ; but that awfu' man wi' a' his screeching, and boohooing, and shaking o' his head and hand didna speak in our tongue. Oh, that awfu' man, his black heavy face is hunting me yet, and where ho came from I c inns ken either, I am sure. lie didna come in at the gate nor ower the wa'—he just started up before me out o' John's grave, but he wasna ma John. I dinna ken how I got away from that awfu-like apparition, ur how I cam here. Where am I P So when she had finished her story it was plain she had had a severe shock to her nerves. The family into whose house ehe came, when they got a light, knew her to be a respectable woman, and when she was mere composed the goodman kindly volunteered to accompany her home. On the way they were met by the decent woman's son, who had been searching everywhere for his mother ; and knowing that she frequently visited the churchyard thought that she might possibly, late as it was, have gone there, for she had been rather deeply affected by the loss of her husband ; so much so, that there was no consoling . , her. and there was no' keeping) her away from the grave when she could get away. It seems, however, that she had got such a fright by that visit that she would not soon seek back to a haunted churchyard. We can only guess at a solution of the mysterious apparition. A deaf and dumb man with bushy black beard and moustache lodges in a dwelling overlooking the burying ground. He may have seen the disconsolate woman there, and out of pity for her had gone to advise her to go home ; but hie strange appearance, want of speech, and the signs made with his hands may have added to the poor woman's terror, her heated imagination doing the rest. The two Chambers of the S Dios Fcchrai Assent• bly met three dais sgo to clew, the President of tL e Confechritieu for 1865. M. Shaik, of Berne, Vics-Preeident of the Fe&rai Council for 1864, was chosen by 105 votes to 26. M. Kousel, of Lueern, was afterwards elected Vice.Prcsiderit by SG votes to 45. THIRD EDITION. SUN OFFICE, SIX O'CLOCK. TATTERSALL'S,---This Evening, There were very few members present, and no businees of importance transacted. Bank of England Return.--This Evening. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth cap. 32, for the week ending on Wednesday, the 14th d e; of Dee. 1864: ISSUE DEPARTMENT. ; , otes issued ...,...£25.001,975 .£2B, 01,075! BA.N li. USG D eroprictore Capi- 1 al X 14.553,000 Rest Public Deposits (in cluding Exche quer, Savings' Banks, Commis missioners of Na tional Debt, and Government Debt .£11,015,1C t Other becurities 3,634,p00 G' old Coin Sr, Bullion 13,351,0; 5 Silver Bullion £::8 ; CA) 75 , EPAUTMENT. G overnment Seen rities (including Dead Weigh tAti. nuity) . £10,474.542 Other `.E curitie Grp Notes ........... Gold an.d. silver .70,63 ti Coin ............ Dividend Ac counts) 7,167,719 Other Deposits 12,267,4 .4 Seven Day and other Bills 491,117 £37,793,604 1 IV £37,708 ,6,1 MILLER, Chief Cashier. Dec. 15, 1864. AQUATICS. SCULLER'S RACE FOR £4O. A race for the above amount came off yesterday from Putney to Barnes Railway Bridge, for £2O a side, between, Edward May of Vauxhall, and Edward Carter of Lam beth, Bet Ling was 2tol on Carter. David Coombes was Carter's umpire, and Barry Kelley showed him up ; Harry Salter looked after May, and G. Drewitt was his pilot. Mr Charles Newnham was referee. They were halt an hour getting away, Carter with the station, and a level start waa at length effected. A fine level race ensued for 200 yards, and then May went ahead. He was too clear lengths at the Dung Wharf, where he bored his man in shore, and then crossed and recrossed. Nearing Crab Tree, he suddenly stopped quite exhausted, and Carter going by won with great ease in 25 minutes 30 seconds. Thus has the cx. champion Kelley trained the winners of £2lO en the river Thames in two following days. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE—This day. LONDON, Dec. 15.—Wind this day at noon—South- Easterly; moderate breeze, azd cloudy weather, with a slight tog. MILFORD, Dec. 14.—Wind S.E.—Arrived—Due Cog nate, from Newfoundland for Cardiff. Sailed—Sarah, steamer, for Jamaica. FALMOUTH, Dec, 13.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Sparkle, from Calcutta. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 14.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Chal lenger, from London for. Shanghai. (BY MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Thursday Morning. Arrived, Dec. 14—Furet, from Gravelines—Meteor, from Petersburg—lda Engelsken, from Emden; Ark, from Dantzig—Calcutta, steamer, from Calcutta. Arrived, Dec.—Cavon, from Hudickswall--Augusta and Aurora, both from Emden—Express, from Helsinborg— Concordia and Emilie, both from Groningen—Ann and John, from Lanskrona. Sailed—Triton, steamer, for Boulogne. DEAL, Thursday Morning. Passed, Dec.l4—Maria, for Demerara—Lady Broughton, for Cape of Good Hope—Night Watch, for Mogador— Eaglet, for Oporto—Flying Cloud, for Moreton Bay—all from London. Passed, Dee. 15—Aurora, Ecrew steamer, from London for Bordeaux—Harold, from Shields, for Naples. Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day Market quiet. Sales, about 5,000 bales. TIIE ARTS CLUB.—The annual dinner of this club took place yesterday evening at its house in Hanover square. The chair was filled ty Mr Thomas Hughes, and about sixty gentlemen (the necessary limit) sat down to dinner. The proceedings were as little formal as possible, and after "Prosperity to the Club," "Art," " Literatut e," &c., had been given, the mouThers present adjourned to the conversazione afterwards held in their rooms upstairs. Several fine oil paintings, portfolios of water colours, cud other works of art were exhibited by various members of the club. This interesting gathering, which was success ful in every way, did not break up un'il early this morn- ing. Amongst those present were—Mr Horace Jones (vice chairman), Mr F. W. Burton, Mr Val Prinseps, Mr Edmund Yates, Mr A. F. Cockerell, Mr F. Walker, Mr J• C. Parkinson, and Mr Tom Angell (hon. sec.). LORD PALAIERSTON.—The political life of Lord Palmerston has been longer than that of any states man of the present century at home or abroad. That of Prince M.etternich lasted 51 years, from 1794 to 1843 ; that of Count Nesselrode also the same number of years—viz., from 1802 to 1856; that of the Duke of Wellington lii tle more than 45 years, dating from the time when he was Chief Secretary in Dublin to his death; that of Sir R. Peel even less still. But Lord Palmerston entered the House of Com mons in 1806, and has held office, with very slight inter missions, since 1807, or seven years more than half a een tury.—. Once a Week. IHE MONT CENIS TUNNEL.—In a highly inte,. resting article by Emile Level, in this fortnight's Revue Contemporaine, we find some curious details about the piercing of the tunnel between Modane and B adoneche. It is well ktviwn that the whole length of the tunnel, when completed, will be 12,200 metres. Tke machine used for the purpose is M. Sommelier's perforator, set in motion by com pressed air. It consists of a piston working horizontally in a cylinder, and carrying a chisel fixed upon it like a bayonet, which at each stroke dashes with violence against the rock to be pierced. Each time the chisel recalls, it turns round in the hole, and as the latter is sunk deeper and deeper, the frame or shield, which carries, not one, but nine perforators, advances in proportion. While the chisel is doing its work with extraordinary rapidity, a copper tube of small diameter keeps squirting water into the hole, by which means all the rubbish is washed out. Eehind the shield there is a tender, which, by the aid of a pump set in motion by compressed air, feeds all these tubes with water. The noise caused by the simultaneous striking of all the chisels against the rock is absolutely deafening, enhanced as it is 1,37 the echo of the tunnel. All at once the noise ceases, the ohield rece .es behind it, and the surface of the rock is perceived riddled with 80 holes, varying in depth between 80 and 90 centi metres. These holes are now charged with car:ridges, slow matches burning at the rate of GO centimetres per minute are inserted, .and the workmen retire in haste. The explo sion seems to shake the mountain to its roots ; when all is over the ground is found covered with fragments of the rock, and an advance equal to the depth of the holes has been oh. tained. On the Brandoneche side this year the average nd eown Nidgantoe sideth i v t a h n a c s e per not m e o x n a t e h e d h e ads 38 1 e e m n e s t O r m s e p t e r r e s greater hardness of the rook on that side; there still re ;moonnthth, mains a length of about 8,250 metres to go through. \% hen completed the tunnel will have required the piercing of 1,200,000 holes, 550,000 kilogrammes of gunpowder 1,550,000 metres of slow match ; the number of bayonets rendered unserviceable will amount to 2,4so,ooo.—(talig nani's Messenger. A NEW DODGE.—A correspondent of the Times writes as follows : —On Friday night, about six o'clock, I was walking near Covent-garden, when a man came up to me and, presenting a small piece of paper, asked me if I could tell him where that was. I concluded that he wished me to tell him what I thought was an address on the paper. While trying to make out this address by the aid of the gaslight, I thought I felt something touch my waistcoat pocket, and, looking down, I saw my watch chain dangling loose, whereupon I immediately k noc k e d the inquirer down, and seizing him by tho throat demanded my watch. This was at once restored to me, and the fel low escaped, unluckily. ARRIVAL OF SPECIE FROM MEXICO.—ST. NA_ LAIRS, October 15.—The steamship Lousiana has arrived here from Mexico with 5,000,000 fr., 2,000,000 fr. of which are on account of the French Government. About £65,000 in gold was taken into the Bank yesterday, but 302,000 sovereigns were with. drawn. The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up to this day, are in round figur es as under : 1864. 1863. Great Western ....................£63,958 £60,708 North- Western ........ 10' , 381 95 , 385 ........... . ~, South- Western Brighton ............. • Midland ................... . South Eastern ... ... : : : 1 41 9 6 18 (1)6 2 61' 32 42 1 1 9 501 :: 0 .3 1 : 05 Great Northern Lancashire and Yorkshire.. 34,340 35,010 Bristol and Ezeter North E astern 59,213 Msnelle6ter. Sheffield, and Linc01n...... 17,3'24 175.),587 ,6 1 + Great E tta - ern These reiurna are in one or two instances of a less satisfactory character. Oa the Lancashire and Yorkshire there is a neoree.se of £740; ManchestLr, Sheffield, and Lincoln, £293; South Western, £417; Great Western, however, shows an increase (i f £3,250; North Western, £6,996:; Brighton, £1,476 ; "."--:4 11 d, £4,402; South Eastern, £343; Great Northern, £1,954; Bristol and Ewer, £383; North Eastern, £4,656; and the Orc.4 Eastern, £950, ME N 100 100 100 100 100 100 44 tit,} I 1312 f SFI 9